Energy Conversions

Energy Conversions

Energy Conversions

• Potential Energy: The energy an object has due to its position

• Kinetic Energy: The energy an object has because of its motion

Here’s a song that will help us learn the difference between

the two…

Energy Conversions

• Which picture shows balloons with high kinetic energy?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=deflated+balloons&view=detail&id=D52F00C1048DEA41FF3D593A8902A771277C4D3C&first=36

Energy Conversions

At letter “W” does the roller coaster car have high potential energy or high kinetic energy?

Energy Conversions

At letter “X” does the roller coaster car have high potential energy or high kinetic energy?

Energy Conversions• You may have noticed that energy can be

converted from potential to kinetic and back again.

High potential energyHigh kinetic

energy

Medium potential energy

Bill Nye explains kinetic and potential energy…

Energy Conversions

• There are other types of energy beside potential and kinetic:

• Light• Sound•Mechanical•Heat

• Chemical• Radiation• Electrical

Energy Conversions

• Each type of energy can be converted into another form through various processes:

Light energy Chemical energy

Light energy Chemical energy

The process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS converts light energy from the sun into chemical

energy that the plant stores as sugar.

Chemical energy Mechanical energy

The chemical energy stored in food, like corn, is converted into mechanical energy when we digest it. We use the mechanical

energy to perform life functions.

Energy Conversions

• All forms of energy on Earth can be traced back to the sun.

This hamburger is full of chemical energy

Energy Conversions

The chemical energy stored in the hamburger came from the food the cow ate.

Energy Conversions

The cow used mechanical energy to chew the hay that was produced through photosynthesis

Energy Conversions

Photosynthesis is the process of making food using energy from light energy.

Energy Conversions

Light Energy

Chemical Energy

Mechanical Energy

Chemical Energy

Energy Conversions• Let’s Summarize:–Potential energy is energy that is stored in

an object–Kinetic energy is energy that comes from

motion– Energy can be converted from potential to

kinetic and back again–All energy on earth can be traced back to

the sun